James Harrison, Steelers' LB, Refuses To Join Team At White House (VIDEO)

Pittsburgh Steelers' linebacker James Harrison will not accompany his team to the White House when President Obama greets the Super Bowl champions Thursday. Harrison told WTAE, a local Pittsburgh television network, that his refusal to take part in the honor was not based on his political views but rather, according to his agent, "he just doesn't want to go." Harrison told WTAE:

This is how I feel -- if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm concerned, [Obama] would've invited Arizona if they had won.

Here's the video of Harrison talking to WTAE:

For the full WTAE story, click here.

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Comments

[Pound21]

His reasoning behind not going was ridiculous. The city of Pittsburgh would not have thrown them a parade if they did not win the Super Bowl, which also would have denied a player the chance to wear the Arizona Cardinals' colors and perform some stupid rap. Why did he go to the parade? Why did he accept the ring? The league would have awarded the rings to the Cardinals if they had won. Why wear the Super Bowl champion hats and T-shirts? Wouldn't they have belonged to Cardinals? In fact, both team already had them, but only the winner gets to legitimately wear them. Only the WINNER gets invited to the White House. Why would he accept all the other accolades for winning the big game but turn down the president's invitation. Utterly ridiculous....

[Supercruize]

Dude probably cannot come to terms with the fact that, due to Obama, black kids can now see beyond football career as the ultimate they can hope for.

[lgwenmurphy]

Perhaps this is his was of getting attention. Do you think it really matters to either president, whether he shows up or not! Some winners are losers in spite of themselves.

[Star69]

I know this may sound cliche but there is no 'I' in team...Williams might have his own beliefs but, he is a part of the Steelers organization; unless he is layed up in the hospital or some other excusable circumstances i.e. wife is giving birth he should be required to go. Harrison is conducting himself like a stubborn, ignorant baby... not every athlete has the honor of being invited to the White House to meet the President. When have they ever given crowns to the first runner up in beauty pagents? Do they let 2nd place stand on top of the boxes? Get Real.

[Solja]

I don't think they should force him to go. It's a free country. Most would think it would be an honor to be invited to the White House, and this is not new for the country. Every national winning team goes to the White House, and that's not just for football. Maybe he doesn't know this is a national tradition, and he is entitled to his position, but I do not think he should be forced to go. I'm sure his team is both angry at him and embarrassed. The team was behind Obama during the elections, so I'm sure most of them see it as an exciting honor and a memorable occasion. It's his loss, no one else's.

[yasmeen]

give back your superbowl ring!! if the cardinals had won, they, not you, would've gotten it!!

[TivoliEclipse]

Insecure much?

[jcole]

Mr Harrison is acting like a fool, and talking like a fool, what the Pittsburgh Steelers organization should do is to require him to go with the team.

[yasmeen]

no, the GOP is preparing him as a substitute for michael steele who will be removed soon.

[Pookie2112]

Gee, I wonder if Harrison had to widen all the doors in his house, in order to fit that massively swollen head of his through.

[alumtrix]

It's his conviction, let him have it. For you liberals out there, all I mean is that he has a set of principles by which he guides his life. He doesn't do the wet finger in the air thing that is so popular with O that tells him what to do.

[jcole]

Mr Harrison is a dummy, he believe that because he had the ball last that made him a star, this guy ego is going to be brought down, and if he dose not do well this next season he will be out the door.

[rcwblessed]

Oh, shut up already!

[Hagar7]

It is so wonderful and perfect that you said that. Because, dear conservative friend, Harrison's "principles" consist entirely of being upset that the Steelers weren't invited to the White House BEFORE they won the Super Bowl. He was annoyed that he only got invited to meet the President because his team accomplished something special; he didn't get the memo that you don't get special recognition for just showing up and doing the job that you get paid to do. He's a whiner, in short.

[JeffE]

Get over yourself, man.

[jcole]

Some one should remind this dummy that he is only as good as his last perfromance, he better hope he dose not get hurt,

[MTinMO]

Not all football players are brawn and no brain as suggested by some posters. In my home state, a fair number of our Griz players graduated as scholar athletes and some of them have gone on to pro careers. I'm sure other colleges can claim the same.

What is unfortunate is that Mr. Harrison sees no honor in being invited to the White House as the winners of one of the largest yearly sporting events in the world, nor does he evidently see any need to accompany his teammates, but in the end it is his loss. Assuming he has/will have children and grandchildren one day, being able to tell them about being in the people's house and being welcomed by the president is no small thing. But whatever. Chances are he also doesn't find things like voting and taking part in this large community of the Unites States important either.

[jcole]

He maybe one of those who have a little money now and think voteing is for those without money, i hope his mother or father told him what goes up must come down.

[Solja]

This is exactly what I think it is. He sees no honor in being invited to the White House.

I can remember being so excited to cast my vote during the primaries for Obama. I loaded up the car with my mom and 2 sons, both who were voting for the first time. I was totally excited to finally be able to cast my vote for him. We stopped at the gas station, and as normal, I casually struck up a conversation with a young black guy. I told him that I was trying to hurry up and get to the polls to vote for our first black President. I asked him wasn't he going to vote. His response, "Psst! Vote?! WTF for? They gonna do what they gonna do no matter what I do so I don't vote." I almost cried right there. I tell you this because this guy was only one out of millions of Americans who feel the exact same way about voting and our government. James Harrison could possibly be one of them. He is young and probably doesn't see a reason to vote as he has "made it" on his own in his mind. He'll come around. He shouldn't be forced though or he'll just shut down and never participate in politics. Maybe one day, just not today. And who knows? Maybe his teammates will talk him into it by explaining the importance of this momentous occasion for all of us.

[Onfya]

Trust me, this is not the real reason he is not going. In a fews months something will come out and everyone will say...OH! no wonder he didnt want to be around Obama. A lot of Black men have problems with Obama, it should be obvious as to why.....

[rock2casbah]

Give me a break. A lot of men? As in only you.

[danusgram]

No Onfya your name says it all

[rock2casbah]

Fyrthermore, he skipped the Steelers trip to the White House when Bush was in office. So for you same logic?

[Chansmom]

A lot of black men? Really? Then you two, oh, and Michael Steele, should meet for lunch while the rest are at the White House. So silly.

[rinpochet]

Why would they invite the Pittsburgh Stealers if they hadn't won the Super Bowl??? He is so full of himself he is an embarrassment to the team.

[Hagar7]

"Himself" is one thing he's full of.

[rinpochet]

Sort of a dim bulb. I mean, I didn't like Bush but if he invited me to the White House I would be there in a minute! Most people never get the opportunity. As I said .. not very bright and an over-sized ego.

[socialmistfit]

I think he is afraid of Obama's second hand smoke.

[jcole]

He is afraid of a real man, a black man who is educated and smart, and this dummy think he maybe embarrassed by the president.

[Solja]

Your name explains a lot.

[gerontion72]

I like this guy. Ef the White House. For whatever reason.